Plumbing problems are frustrating enough, but sewer issues can cause major disruptions, stress, and expose your home to harmful sewage backups. Sewer problems can start small with a clog that keeps coming back, no matter how many times you clear it. Sometimes sewer problems can start with tree root intrusion you don’t notice until it’s already causing issues. Guessing what’s really going on with your plumbing and sewer line can quickly turn into wasted time and money.
Our team at Performance Plumbing offers sewer camera inspections to get a closer look inside your plumbing lines and identify problems as accurately as possible. This diagnostic tool is especially valuable for persistent plumbing problems or when you’re considering buying a property. Here’s what to know about camera inspections and why you need one.
How Does a Sewer Camera Inspection Work?
Our team feeds a flexible cable with a small but powerful waterproof camera directly into an accessible plumbing line. The camera moves through the pipe and sends live video to our monitor, so we can see exactly what’s going on inside your sewer line without immediately opening your walls or disrupting your landscaping. Depending on the access and condition of your pipes, a camera inspection could reveal:
- Cracks or broken sections of pipe
- Tree root intrusion
- Heavy buildup
- Corrosion or deterioration
- Foreign objects
- Offset pipe connections
- Sections that have partially collapsed
Keep in mind that a sewer camera can show what’s inside the pipe, but it can’t see through the pipe walls or always determine why a low area developed.
When Do You Need a Camera Inspection for Recurring Plumbing Problems?
A single slow sink does not automatically mean you need a sewer camera inspection. But recurring or widespread symptoms could point to a deeper problem in your plumbing or sewer line. If you experience repeated drain backups, multiple slow drains, recurring sewer odors, unexplained gurgling, or a clog that keeps returning, you should schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could keep clearing the drain as a temporary fix instead of addressing a cracked section, root intrusion, or structural defect.
Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection Before Buying a Home
Many homeowners assume a standard home inspection will include a detailed evaluation of the inside of the sewer line. That’s not always the case. A property can look well-maintained above ground, while an expensive issue is developing below it. A sewer camera inspection in St. Louis is especially useful before buying an older home, a property with mature trees, or a property with a history of drainage problems.
Pay Attention to Pipe Appearance
Homebuyers can easily assume that a newer section of visible plumbing means the entire sewer line has been replaced. Older St. Louis homes often have lines that were repaired in sections over time, leaving different pipe materials and conditions along the same run. Calling us for a camera inspection helps identify what’s really going on with those transitions and spot signs of trouble.
If recurring plumbing problems are disrupting your home or you want answers about your sewer line, our team is ready to help.
Contact Performance Plumbing today for professional plumbing and sewer camera inspection services in St. Louis, MO.